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The Way of the Cross is one of Catholicism's oldest devotions. Recalling Jesus' Passion and death, the way has had different names: the Stations of the Cross, the "Via Dolorosa" or the "Via Crucis."

The Passion occurred in a specific place in the world. It's helpful to know the geography: a stretch of road between the Antonia fortress and Golgotha in Jerusalem, along which Jesus Christ walked bowed under the weight of the cross. From the time of Constantine, the Via Dolorosa has been a popular destination for Christians.

Blessed Alvarez of Cordova, a 14th-century Spanish Dominican, established a priory where he placed pictures of Christ's journey to Calvary. The earliest use of the word "stations" appears in the narrative of an English pilgrim, William Wey, who visited the Holy Land in the mid-15th century. The narrative describes pilgrims following the footsteps of Christ to the cross.

Historically, the number of the stations varied from seven to 14. In 1731, Pope Clement XII fixed the number of stations at 14.

The aim of walking the stations is not to be a pious lamentation. It is good to make the stations simply, without much speaking: "Here is where He fell; here is where Simon helped Him; here is where He died." The only necessity is to walk meditatively and unite with the Lord.

Lent is a 40-day journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The Way of the Cross helps the Lenten wayfarer to retrace the footsteps of the master Himself.

We adore you, O Christ, and praise you, because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

(Father Rosson is pastor of St. Mary's/Our Lady of the Lake parish in Cooperstown.)[[In-content Ad]]

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